circular
1 of 2adjective
cir·cu·lar ˈsər-kyə-lər 
1
a
: having the form of a circle : round
a circular orbit
b
: moving in or describing a circle or spiral
a circular staircase
2
a
: of or relating to a circle or its mathematical properties
a circular arc
b
: having a circular base or bases
a circular cylinder
3
: circuitous, indirect
4
: marked by or moving in a cycle
5
: being or involving reasoning that uses in the argument or proof a conclusion to be proved or one of its unproved consequences
6
: intended for circulation
a circular letter
circularity
ˌsər-kyə-ˈler-ə-tē
noun -ˈla-rə-
circularly
ˈsər-kyə-lər-lē
adverb circularness noun
circular
2 of 2noun
: a paper (such as a leaflet) intended for wide distribution
Synonyms
Adjective
- circuitous
- indirect
- roundabout
Noun
- booklet
- brochure
- flyer
- flier
- folder
- leaflet
- pamphlet
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective That planet has a more circular orbit than our planet does. a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly Noun According to the circular, eggs are on sale this week. promptly tosses out those advertising circulars that come in the newspaper
Recent Examples on the Web
Megan Marples, CNN, 8 Aug. 2022 This helps prevent the dough from sticking, without the need for too much extra flour, and helps to maintain a circular shape. Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2022 The unique semi-circular shape is built for backpacks. Editors Of Men's Health, Men's Health, 12 July 2022 That’s a little over three times the regular Oura Ring, and it’s a distinctively different design, with a completely circular shape, unlike the near-circle with one flattish side of the conventional Oura Ring Generation 3. David Phelan, Forbes, 28 May 2022 One of the bedrooms is designed in a circular shape with faceted mirrors. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2022 But they’re sold plain and come only in a circular shape. Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2022 Instead, the bed's faux fur sides help the dog mimic the naturally circular shape many like to curl up into when sleeping, while supporting their necks and backs. Ariel Scotti, PEOPLE.com, 20 Jan. 2022 The company hopes to achieve that by harnessing the potential of an unusual ribonucleic acid that has a circular shape, unlike the more common RNA molecule which has a strand with two ends. BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2021 Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 5 July 2022 Payment for the transfer of cryptos done in kind or in exchange for another digital asset also attracts TDS, adding to the total, the circular said. Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 24 June 2022 In a circular to clients, Ian Shepherdson, the chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, gave three reasons to believe the Fed still has a good chance of reducing inflation without bringing on an outright slump. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 22 June 2022 The unclaimed-property circular never mentions the election, voting or that Franchot (D) is seeking election. Erin Cox, Washington Post, 29 May 2022 Earlier this week, the court circular showed that Prince William visited MI6 and met with the Defense Secretary, but the Cambridges had yet to speak publicly about Russia's invasion of Ukraine until now. Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 26 Feb. 2022 To limit the spread of the virus, Ajman's human resources department issued a circular with a list of no-nos that would lead to salary deductions, ranging from a one-day pay cut to a 10-day pay cut for repeat offenders. Fox News, 14 Jan. 2022 Otis’s son-in-law Harry Chandler, the man responsible for the Hollywood sign, treated the paper like a real-estate circular. The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2021 Tanah Sullivan, Group Head of Sustainability, GoTo Adopt a mindset that circular is a business decision and should be treated by the company as such. World Economic Forum, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2021 See More
Adjective
The circular shape helps the planet spin faster, McCarthy said. Megan Marples, CNN, 8 Aug. 2022 This helps prevent the dough from sticking, without the need for too much extra flour, and helps to maintain a circular shape. Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 July 2022 The unique semi-circular shape is built for backpacks. Editors Of Men's Health, Men's Health, 12 July 2022 That’s a little over three times the regular Oura Ring, and it’s a distinctively different design, with a completely circular shape, unlike the near-circle with one flattish side of the conventional Oura Ring Generation 3. David Phelan, Forbes, 28 May 2022 One of the bedrooms is designed in a circular shape with faceted mirrors. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2022 But they’re sold plain and come only in a circular shape. Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2022 Instead, the bed's faux fur sides help the dog mimic the naturally circular shape many like to curl up into when sleeping, while supporting their necks and backs. Ariel Scotti, PEOPLE.com, 20 Jan. 2022 The company hopes to achieve that by harnessing the potential of an unusual ribonucleic acid that has a circular shape, unlike the more common RNA molecule which has a strand with two ends. BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2021 Noun
The program from Sovereignty Company will ultimately remain diverse, inclusive, equitable, and circular within the fashion community. Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 5 July 2022 Payment for the transfer of cryptos done in kind or in exchange for another digital asset also attracts TDS, adding to the total, the circular said. Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 24 June 2022 In a circular to clients, Ian Shepherdson, the chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, gave three reasons to believe the Fed still has a good chance of reducing inflation without bringing on an outright slump. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 22 June 2022 The unclaimed-property circular never mentions the election, voting or that Franchot (D) is seeking election. Erin Cox, Washington Post, 29 May 2022 Earlier this week, the court circular showed that Prince William visited MI6 and met with the Defense Secretary, but the Cambridges had yet to speak publicly about Russia's invasion of Ukraine until now. Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 26 Feb. 2022 To limit the spread of the virus, Ajman's human resources department issued a circular with a list of no-nos that would lead to salary deductions, ranging from a one-day pay cut to a 10-day pay cut for repeat offenders. Fox News, 14 Jan. 2022 Otis’s son-in-law Harry Chandler, the man responsible for the Hollywood sign, treated the paper like a real-estate circular. The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2021 Tanah Sullivan, Group Head of Sustainability, GoTo Adopt a mindset that circular is a business decision and should be treated by the company as such. World Economic Forum, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English circuler, from Middle French, from Late Latin circularis, from Latin circulus circle
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1789, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing circular
Kids Definition
circular 1 of 2
adjective
cir·cu·lar ˈsər-kyə-lər
1
: shaped like a circle or part of a circle : round
a circular track
2
: passing or going around in a circle
a circular motion
3
: not said in simple or sincere language
a circular explanation
circular
2 of 2noun
: a printed notice or advertisement given or sent to many people
Medical Definition
circular
adjective
cir·cu·lar ˈsər-kyə-lər
: manic-depressive
especially : bipolar sense 3
the exalted phase of the mental circular state Havelock Ellis
Havelock Ellis circularities
noun
as in circumlocutions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- circumlocutions
- verbosities
- prolixities
- parentheses
- digressions
- tangents
- divagations
- excursus
- ramblings
- excursuses
- asides
- excursions